Originally Posted By: Joel_MD
I have a 2003 9-5 and I also maintain my step-son's 2006 "Saabaru" 9-2x. rjundi is correct, the 9-2x is really just a trim level for the Subaru Impreza. A lot of times I can't find parts for the 9-2x when using an online lookup tool, but if I look for a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5 instead I find what I need.
I think the Saab 9-5 with the 2.3L engine is a fantastic car. They tend to be a bit maintenance intensive. I would say that Saab owners tend to be more DIY than other car owners. No doubt their orphan status helps make them cheap, but parts are generally plentiful.
One thing that is fun about the 2.3L engine is the potential for power. A buddy of mine has a 9-5 whose engine is modified to Stage 5 with about 285 hp at the wheels via dyno. It was totally rebuilt with forged pistons, TD04-19T turbo, Aeromotive fuel pump with Deka injectors, etc. The car looks like a sleeper but he absolutely blows away stock Mustang GTs and even BMW M3s on the open road. The 9-5 is a heavy car, and with front wheel drive it's not going to win a lot of drag races, but from 30 MPH+ it's hard to beat.
SAAB owners NOW may be DYI, and I was when I had several, including a 900T which ended life at 400K with a rusted out front subframe, but in the few glory years of solid sales Yuppies were buying them to be seen in and their total lack of any mechanical understanding led to a lot of cracked heads, burned out clutches and rotors ground down by pad backing plates, to name a few. THey were a well behaved car in difficult conditions and more than once I said to myself "Thank you Mr. SAAB" when the brakes and steering got me out of an impending jam. It was a sad day when we discovered the front end rattle in the T wasn't a ball joint. There are still a few old 900 convertables around and they look nice with the top down but the conversion left them with a pretty sloppy body structure.
I have a 2003 9-5 and I also maintain my step-son's 2006 "Saabaru" 9-2x. rjundi is correct, the 9-2x is really just a trim level for the Subaru Impreza. A lot of times I can't find parts for the 9-2x when using an online lookup tool, but if I look for a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5 instead I find what I need.
I think the Saab 9-5 with the 2.3L engine is a fantastic car. They tend to be a bit maintenance intensive. I would say that Saab owners tend to be more DIY than other car owners. No doubt their orphan status helps make them cheap, but parts are generally plentiful.
One thing that is fun about the 2.3L engine is the potential for power. A buddy of mine has a 9-5 whose engine is modified to Stage 5 with about 285 hp at the wheels via dyno. It was totally rebuilt with forged pistons, TD04-19T turbo, Aeromotive fuel pump with Deka injectors, etc. The car looks like a sleeper but he absolutely blows away stock Mustang GTs and even BMW M3s on the open road. The 9-5 is a heavy car, and with front wheel drive it's not going to win a lot of drag races, but from 30 MPH+ it's hard to beat.
SAAB owners NOW may be DYI, and I was when I had several, including a 900T which ended life at 400K with a rusted out front subframe, but in the few glory years of solid sales Yuppies were buying them to be seen in and their total lack of any mechanical understanding led to a lot of cracked heads, burned out clutches and rotors ground down by pad backing plates, to name a few. THey were a well behaved car in difficult conditions and more than once I said to myself "Thank you Mr. SAAB" when the brakes and steering got me out of an impending jam. It was a sad day when we discovered the front end rattle in the T wasn't a ball joint. There are still a few old 900 convertables around and they look nice with the top down but the conversion left them with a pretty sloppy body structure.
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